Research Assistant/Associate in NanoBio Printing and Assembly (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Cambridge in West Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, seeks a Research Assistant/Associate to advance protein-guided, droplet-based routes for architected materials. You will work with seven research groups, leading instrumented printing and process testing to lock anisotropic order in scalable materials.

Applicants should have a PhD in a relevant field or be near completion, with strong experimental skills in printing, microfluidics and imaging.

Qualifications

• PhD (or near completion) in chemical engineering, materials science/engineering, applied physics, fluid mechanics, colloid or interface science.
• Strong experimental skills with experience in printing, droplet, microfluidic or flow processes.
• Desirable: experience with protein production/handling and magnetic/colloidal materials.

Responsibilities

• Own instrumented printing, droplet-generation and controlled-flow systems.
• Integrate protein formulations and test ordering of anisotropic materials.
• Define process windows, analyze data and maintain SOPs; support QC and scale-up.

Skills

Printing

Droplet generation

Membrane emulsification

Controlled-flow systems

Protein formulations

Magnetic materials

Electrical alignment

Shear flow

Drying-assisted alignment

Imaging analysis

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering / Materials Science / Physics

Tools

Microfluidic systems

Droplet generation equipment

High-speed imaging

Field-assisted processing

Job description

Overview

A position exists for a Research Assistant/Associate in NanoBio Printing and Assembly in the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, to work on a multidisciplinary research programme developing protein-guided, droplet-based routes to architected functional materials, as part of an Advanced Research + Invention Agency-funded project, subject to contract negotiations. The post holder will be located in West Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK.

Project Scope

The project, collaborating across seven research groups, delivers a new pathway and manufacturing process towards multi-functional architected materials across length scales, studying:

• (i) how to create rare-earth free magnetic materials at scale and in useful formats


• (ii) how to create advanced, nanoporous electrodes for high capacity, long-life battery technologies

Responsibilities

The appointee will take ownership of instrumented printing, droplet-generation, membrane-emulsification and controlled-flow systems. They will integrate protein-containing formulations, compare magnetic, electric, shear, flow and drying-assisted alignment, and test protein retention or removal to lock anisotropic order into stable materials. They will define process windows, interrogate data, maintain reproducible standard operating procedures, and support quality control and scale-up.

The role involves close collaboration across protein, mineralisation, nanocrystal, chemistry, magnetics, AI and manufacturing teams. The role also includes supporting the project lead as a technical project lead, which includes aspects of project management, coordination, risk management and mentoring.

Requirements

Applicants must have obtained, or be close to obtaining, a PhD in chemical engineering, materials science or materials engineering, applied physics, fluid mechanics, colloid or interface science, or a closely related discipline, with additional expertise in biotechnology.

Essential capabilities include strong experimental skills and transferable experience in one or more printing, droplet, microfluidic, or flow processes. Experience of field-assisted processing, high-speed or quantitative imaging, magnetic or colloidal materials, and protein production and handling are desirable. Expertise across every area is not expected.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD (or equivalent experience). Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Eligibility & Compliance

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Salary Ranges

• Research Assistant £33,002 - £35,608


• Research Associate £37,694 - £46,049

Contractual Terms

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 1 March 2028 in the first instance.

Contact

Prof. Ronan Daly ([e-mail]), or Holly Shaw ([e-mail]).

Diversity & Inclusion

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

Application Deadline

midnight on the closing date.

Reference

NM51291